Questions and Answers
When was Locke born?
August 29, 1632
When did Locke die?
October 28, 1704
Cite two or three important facts about Locke's Two Treatises of Government.
It defends individual political liberty, was influential in revolutions, and was published anonymously in his lifetime.
Define legitimate political power, according to Locke.
Signup and view all the answers
How does Locke's Second Treatise of Government begin?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the key features of what Locke calls the state of nature?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the law of nature, according to Locke?
Signup and view all the answers
According to Locke, how do human beings come to understand the law of nature?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the connection between human equality and human rights?
Signup and view all the answers
Describe all of the rights possessed by people under the law of nature.
Signup and view all the answers
What justifies punishment, according to Locke?
Signup and view all the answers
Describe the state of war.
Signup and view all the answers
How much force may a person use to stop a thief in the commission of his crime?
Signup and view all the answers
To what extent may individuals punish other individuals in the state of nature?
Signup and view all the answers
How does Locke describe and defend the right to self-defense?
Signup and view all the answers
How does Locke define slavery?
Signup and view all the answers
Does Locke think that there are circumstances that justify slavery?
Signup and view all the answers
What are some of the main difficulties with people acting as individual executioners of natural law?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Locke mean by 'property'?
Signup and view all the answers
Explain the difficulty Locke faces in justifying the possession of individual private property in the state of nature.
Signup and view all the answers
Explain how Locke does justify individual possession of private property.
Signup and view all the answers
Are there any limits on the acquisition of private property in the state of nature?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Locke think about inheritance of private property?
Signup and view all the answers
How does Locke explain the invention of money?
Signup and view all the answers
How, according to Locke, is the exchange value of money determined?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is money an important factor in the transition from the state of nature into civil society?
Signup and view all the answers
How does Locke explain the development of organized, civil society?
Signup and view all the answers
Do individuals have to give up any of their equal rights when they enter civil society?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the rational foundation for civil government?
Signup and view all the answers
How does Locke explain the transfer of the right to legislate and enforce law from individuals to civil government?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Locke see as the sole purpose of government?
Signup and view all the answers
How would Locke describe the duties of government?
Signup and view all the answers
What is Locke's argument that an absolute monarchy could never be a legitimate form of civil government?
Signup and view all the answers
Explain, in detail, how power is distributed in Locke's liberal civil society.
Signup and view all the answers
Who holds supreme power?
Signup and view all the answers
Who is sovereign?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the job of the legislature?
Signup and view all the answers
How is the legislature selected?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the job of the executive?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Locke mean by 'the federative'?
Signup and view all the answers
Under what general circumstance do the sovereign people have a right to remove or alter the legislative?
Signup and view all the answers
When is the legislative power of the government subordinate to the executive power?
Signup and view all the answers
Which branch of government has the power of assembling and dismissing the legislative branch?
Signup and view all the answers
Is this power supreme, making the legislative branch subordinate?
Signup and view all the answers
What would be the situation in a civil society where the executive power of the government hinders the meeting and activity of the legislative power?
Signup and view all the answers
Regarding conquest, how would Locke describe the position of an unjust aggressor, or invader?
Signup and view all the answers
In contrast, a just conqueror in a lawful war gains certain powers over others by his victory. What are those powers, and over whom?
Signup and view all the answers
Does Locke believe that monarchies are the only form of government that runs the risk of becoming tyrannical?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the difference between dissolution from without, and dissolution from within?
Signup and view all the answers
What conditions place a government in a state of dissolution?
Signup and view all the answers
What conditions place a government in a state of war with the people?
Signup and view all the answers
What rights do the people have when their government is dissolved?
Signup and view all the answers
What rights do the people have when their government places itself in a state of war with them?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
John Locke: Second Treatise of Government
- Born on August 29, 1632, and died on October 28, 1704.
- The Two Treatises of Government defends individual political liberty based on natural rights and law.
- Influential in revolutions, notably the Glorious Revolution of 1688; published anonymously during Locke's lifetime.
Legitimate Political Power
- Defined as the authority to make laws with associated penalties, preserving property and defending the commonwealth.
- Political power exists solely for the public good.
State of Nature
- Begins with a scenario where humans have freedom and equality, governed by natural law.
- All persons possess rationality and equal rights to execute natural law.
Law of Nature
- Prohibits harming others concerning life, health, liberty, or property.
- Understandable by reason, accessible to all individuals.
Human Rights and Equality
- Each individual has an equal right to enforce natural law and punish violators.
Rights Under Natural Law
- Encompass life, liberty, health, and private property.
Justification of Punishment
- Based on reparation (restoring the victim) and restraint (preventing further crimes).
State of War
- Occurs when one violates the law of nature, putting themselves in conflict with victims.
Self-Defense
- Justified destruction of those who pose a threat to life, health, liberty, and property is necessary under the law of nature.
Definition of Slavery
- Characterized by one person exerting absolute power over another.
- Only justifiable in the context of defeating a lawless aggressor.
Difficulties with Individual Enforcement
- Bias in the application of natural law due to personal interests leads to unequal punishment.
- Individuals often lack the authority to impose fair penalties.
Concept of Property
- Encompasses life, liberty, health, and possessions.
- Locke struggles with reconciling common ownership of resources with private property.
Justification of Private Property
- Based on personal labor mixed with common resources.
- Example: Cultivating land grants ownership to the laborer.
Limitations on Property Acquisition
- Individuals cannot deplete resources excessively or waste valuable materials.
Inheritance Rights
- Every individual has the right to inherit property and goods from family.
Invention of Money
- Solves issues related to perishability of goods, enabling wealth accumulation.
- Money needs to be a lasting medium accepted by mutual agreement.
Role of Money in Society
- Facilitates the development from a state of nature to civil society by enabling wealth concentration.
Civil Society Formation
- Inequality caused by money leads to disputes, prompting the need for governed society with laws to protect property.
Rights in Civil Society
- Individuals surrender their rights to execute natural law but retain other rights.
Foundation of Government
- Rooted in the protection of property.
Consent in Governance
- Power to legislate is transferred through mutual consent of equals, not hierarchical decree.
Purpose of Government
- To regulate laws protecting citizens’ property and well-being.
Government Duties
- Primarily focused on protecting the majority's property rights.
Critique of Absolute Monarchy
- Considered a form of illegitimate slavery due to lack of consent and arbitrary power.
Distribution of Power
- Legislative branch holds supreme power; executive and federative powers assist but do not dominate.
Sovereignty
- Resides with the people, who hold the ultimate authority in governance.
Legislative Powers
- Governed by laws that are non-arbitrary and intended for public good.
- Comprised of elected representatives and hereditary nobility.
Executive Role
- Responsible for law execution and legislative assembly coordination.
Situations of Government Dissolution
- External aggression or internal failures, such as abuse of power.
Citizens’ Rights Upon Government Dissolution
- Right to rebellion and disband political society when facing governmental oppression and misuse of power.
Summary
- Locke's perspectives on governance and individual rights underscore the contextual narrative of human liberty and the ethical basis for law and society.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the core concepts of John Locke's Second Treatise of Government, including political power, the state of nature, and natural rights. Understand Locke's influence on individual liberty and political authority. This quiz will test your knowledge of Locke's key theories and their implications on governance.
